Monitor Pass
The gentlest of the seasonal Sierra crossings, linking Markleeville to US 395 through open aspen country. Caltrans usually plows it out first of the trio, and in mild winters it barely closes at all.
This year
Live plow-season reports load here. For today's conditions, go straight to Caltrans's status page.
Conditions change by the hour at 8,314 feet — check Caltrans's status page before you drive.
The record
Usually the first of the southern Sierra passes to open, often in April.
We're still putting this road's year-by-year record together from Caltrans archives — it will appear here as it's confirmed. In the meantime, Caltrans's page has current conditions.
When does Monitor Pass close?
Closes with the first lasting snow, usually late November. The winter closure covers CA-89 over the pass between Markleeville and US 395.
We don't have this road's year-by-year closing dates yet — they'll appear here as Caltrans's notices are worked through. Until then, Caltrans's own page has the state of the gate.
Monitor Pass: opening and closing questions
- When does Monitor Pass close for the winter?
- Closes with the first lasting snow, usually late November. The winter closure covers CA-89 over the pass between Markleeville and US 395.
- Can you drive Monitor Pass in winter?
- No. CA-89 over the pass between Markleeville and US 395 is gated once the season ends, and it stays shut until spring plowing gets through. Caltrans posts the gate's current state.
- Is Monitor Pass open right now?
- This page is the season record, not the road's condition this morning. California Department of Transportation publishes today's state of the road, and that is the one to check before you drive — conditions turn over in hours at this elevation.
- When does Monitor Pass open again?
- Usually the first of the southern Sierra passes to open, often in April.